Activists: Penang yet to be a swiftlet-free state
Susan LoonePublished: Jan 9, 2014 3:20 AM | Updated: Jan 9, 2014 3:48 AM
Although the Penang government has declared that the state is swiftlet free, heritage activists appear to be not fully satisfied that all houses have been cleared of the birds, or its related breeding activities which threaten to damage ancient heritage buildings.
Although the Penang government has declared that the state is swiftlet free, heritage activists appear to be not fully satisfied that all houses have been cleared of the birds, or its related breeding activities which threaten to damage ancient heritage buildings.
Penang Heritage Trust (PHT) council member Rebecca Duckett said the NGO is planning on doing a basic survey in the next two months to see that the state keeps its pledge to remove the birds and related farming activities within the George Town Unesco World Heritage Site (WHS) this year.
"I'm not at all fully satisfied that all the houses have been closed down but willing to give the state the benefit of doubt until we have done the survey, and am absolutely willing to apologise and to congratulate the authorities if indeed the swiftlet houses are found to be completely gone," Duckett told Malaysiakini.
Duckett said she was in George Town on Tuesday and noticed that the authorities have "definitely cosmetically" made it look like the windows of the swiftlet houses have been broken around her previous home and current gallery.
"The birds however are still all there. It's breeding season now so activity amongst the birds is lessened anyway. Clever timing? It seems to me that they have broken a few windows out on the obvious houses but not on the ones in the more hidden locations," Duckett noted.
Swiftlet farming, a lucrative and flourishing business which poses serious health risks and damages to heritage structures, had prompted Unesco to issue a letter to the state government in 2010, placing George Town World Heritage listing at risk.
Mulling if these problems have been addressed, on Dec 31 last year, PHT sent an open letter to state executive councillor on local government (MPPP) Chow Kon Yeow (middle) to seek clarification on the state's definition of "shutting down a swiftlet house".
PHT demanded for full transparency from the Penang government, urging it to reveal the "true nature" of bird flu in the state in view of the recent H1N1 scare in Melaka and neighbouring Kedah.
"Is there an emergency or contingency plan to deal with an outbreak of bird flu in Penang?" asked Duckett, who is also a well-known artist.
Duckett expressed concern over the dengue outbreak in Penang, where there were reportedly 979 cases and seven deaths last year.
She urged the state to support a survey demanding the cooperation of the Health and Veterinary Department to ascertain if there is any relationship between swiftlet breeding and dengue cases in George Town.
"The failure of the authorities to fulfil its pledges to protect the urban environment affecting our health, in deference to financial interest of law breakers, will certainly cast doubts on the integrity of its leadership," warned Duckett.
128 premises shut down since January 2011
The heritage activist was responding to the press conference held by Chow on Monday, where he said the MPPP has cleansed the WHS of 128 premises involved in swiftlet farming activities in four phases since Jan 1, 2011.
The move was done ahead of a Unesco review, after the UN body awarded George Town with the prestigious heritage status on Jul 7, 2008, two months after Pakatan Rakyat took over the state from BN following the 12th general election.
"The MPPP has put a lot of effort in clearing the site although some operators continue to lobby for their farming activities to go on," claimed Chow, who is also state DAP chief.
"We cannot compromise, otherwise it will jeopardise our Unesco site and the status may be revoked," he warned, adding that the MPPP will continue to monitor the situation diligently.
Accompanying Chow on Monday was MPPP heritage department chief Noorhanis Nordin, who reported that out of the 128 premises (shut down), 71 are now used for purposes other than swiftlet farming, while 57 remains inactive (no new activities or businesses yet).
She said action taken on the premises include issuing notices, compounds and demand letters to owners to discontinue such activities, demolishing illegal structures in the said buildings and seizing equipment like loud speakers used to attract the birds.
"However, enforcement activities also took into account the breeding cycle and safety measures to ensure the birds and their offsprings are not harmed," said Noorhanis.
She added that building owners are allowed to submit applications on how their plans to restore and use their premises for businesses other than swiftlet farming.
Since 2014, MPPP have been probing the premises around the site, which houses many pre-war shophouses famous for tourist visits, to ensure an end to swiftlet farming, she assured.
"Since September 2010, the state banned swiftlet farming within the George Town Unesco WHS in line with the Swiftlet Industry Guidelines," said Noorhanis.
"Those involved in such activities were given a period of three years, from January 2011 to Dec 31 last year, to demolish their premises or relocate in line with the local government ruling.
"To facilitate the move, the state had formed several committees and held meetings with industry players such as the Association of Swiftlet Nest Industry and building owners," she added.
Penang Heritage Trust (PHT) council member Rebecca Duckett said the NGO is planning on doing a basic survey in the next two months to see that the state keeps its pledge to remove the birds and related farming activities within the George Town Unesco World Heritage Site (WHS) this year.
"I'm not at all fully satisfied that all the houses have been closed down but willing to give the state the benefit of doubt until we have done the survey, and am absolutely willing to apologise and to congratulate the authorities if indeed the swiftlet houses are found to be completely gone," Duckett told Malaysiakini.
Duckett said she was in George Town on Tuesday and noticed that the authorities have "definitely cosmetically" made it look like the windows of the swiftlet houses have been broken around her previous home and current gallery."The birds however are still all there. It's breeding season now so activity amongst the birds is lessened anyway. Clever timing? It seems to me that they have broken a few windows out on the obvious houses but not on the ones in the more hidden locations," Duckett noted.
Swiftlet farming, a lucrative and flourishing business which poses serious health risks and damages to heritage structures, had prompted Unesco to issue a letter to the state government in 2010, placing George Town World Heritage listing at risk.
Mulling if these problems have been addressed, on Dec 31 last year, PHT sent an open letter to state executive councillor on local government (MPPP) Chow Kon Yeow (middle) to seek clarification on the state's definition of "shutting down a swiftlet house".PHT demanded for full transparency from the Penang government, urging it to reveal the "true nature" of bird flu in the state in view of the recent H1N1 scare in Melaka and neighbouring Kedah.
"Is there an emergency or contingency plan to deal with an outbreak of bird flu in Penang?" asked Duckett, who is also a well-known artist.
Duckett expressed concern over the dengue outbreak in Penang, where there were reportedly 979 cases and seven deaths last year.
She urged the state to support a survey demanding the cooperation of the Health and Veterinary Department to ascertain if there is any relationship between swiftlet breeding and dengue cases in George Town.
"The failure of the authorities to fulfil its pledges to protect the urban environment affecting our health, in deference to financial interest of law breakers, will certainly cast doubts on the integrity of its leadership," warned Duckett.
128 premises shut down since January 2011
The heritage activist was responding to the press conference held by Chow on Monday, where he said the MPPP has cleansed the WHS of 128 premises involved in swiftlet farming activities in four phases since Jan 1, 2011.
The move was done ahead of a Unesco review, after the UN body awarded George Town with the prestigious heritage status on Jul 7, 2008, two months after Pakatan Rakyat took over the state from BN following the 12th general election.
"The MPPP has put a lot of effort in clearing the site although some operators continue to lobby for their farming activities to go on," claimed Chow, who is also state DAP chief."We cannot compromise, otherwise it will jeopardise our Unesco site and the status may be revoked," he warned, adding that the MPPP will continue to monitor the situation diligently.
Accompanying Chow on Monday was MPPP heritage department chief Noorhanis Nordin, who reported that out of the 128 premises (shut down), 71 are now used for purposes other than swiftlet farming, while 57 remains inactive (no new activities or businesses yet).
She said action taken on the premises include issuing notices, compounds and demand letters to owners to discontinue such activities, demolishing illegal structures in the said buildings and seizing equipment like loud speakers used to attract the birds.
"However, enforcement activities also took into account the breeding cycle and safety measures to ensure the birds and their offsprings are not harmed," said Noorhanis.
She added that building owners are allowed to submit applications on how their plans to restore and use their premises for businesses other than swiftlet farming.Since 2014, MPPP have been probing the premises around the site, which houses many pre-war shophouses famous for tourist visits, to ensure an end to swiftlet farming, she assured.
"Since September 2010, the state banned swiftlet farming within the George Town Unesco WHS in line with the Swiftlet Industry Guidelines," said Noorhanis.
"Those involved in such activities were given a period of three years, from January 2011 to Dec 31 last year, to demolish their premises or relocate in line with the local government ruling.
"To facilitate the move, the state had formed several committees and held meetings with industry players such as the Association of Swiftlet Nest Industry and building owners," she added.
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